Tihar Jail to be on Facebook, Twitter soon

The Tihar Prisons in Delhi is the latest to be bitten by the social networking bug.

It has decided to join social networking sites Facebook and Twitter in order to invite public opinion and improve transparency in its day-to-day functioning.

"DG Prisons, Neeraj Kumar has decided that we launch a page on both social networking sites -- Facebook and Twitter -- as early as possible. We are doing this to invite public opinion and suggestions in order to improve our performance and also update the masses about our day-to-day activities," Sunil Gupta, spokesperson and law officer, Tihar Jail, said.

"Tihar is the most famous prison in the whole of south-east Asian region. It is a role model for prisons in other countries. Through Facebook, we will inform the public about our new plans, initiatives and also make the users aware about the existing activities being undertaken inside the prison premises. We will invite suggestions, reactions and views from people all over the country," he said.

Gupta said they will also tweet. "We cannot succeed without the active participation and cooperation of the public and that is why we chose the e-platform way," he said.

Amongst the government agencies to have joined these social networking sites include the Delhi Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Gupta said, "Our factory products like namkeen and biscuits are now very popular among people in Delhi. We intend to reach more people. That is why we have for the first time opened a stall in the Surajkund Mela."